milestones

January's starting off as a month of sickness for our family. Here's to hopes that we have all got our antibodies built up and can go another month or two before it makes the rounds again. But as Derek and I do dishes and blow our noses once again, our little girls are growing up. Here's what they are up to:

Meredith, at 5 years and 3 months, likes to:
--read her Easy Reader books to Derek and I, and "read" much more elaborate books to her sister after bedtime
--do art projects: making an intricate gingerbread house with Grandma was a favorite, as was the Bendaroos (sort of clay pipe cleaners) she received for Christmas
--sing enthusiastically into the mike of our new karoake machine, and make up words if necessary
--wake up very slowly in the mornings.

And she's working on:
--reading! It feels to me like she is on the cusp of being able to really read independently. It's very exciting.
--negotiating social situations with her friends. Cate, Mer and Junior together can explode without warning these days.
--independence. There has been a lot of talking back and demands made in recent weeks.

Elaine, at 21 1/2 months, likes to:
--keep track of all family members, and often asks where people are, including her grandparents (she calls both her grandpas "baba" right now, or even "bubba").
--play with the "big kids," even when they don't want to include her
--pet and follow the cat and dog, and laugh
--imitate her sister in every way she can
--play with her many toys that involve placing a ball in and then it does something interesting, and also sit and read books to herself.

And she's working on:
--eating. She's pretty picky, and just 19 lb still - a little peanut of a child.
--deciding whether tantrums or stubborness are more effective for getting her way
--jumping. She just bends and unbends her knees - no airtime yet.